Collectibles--General (Modern)/large metal thimble

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Expert: - 11/3/2011


Question
Among my family items is a large metal thimble that was a souvenir - it is brass, has an Edinburgh crest on it when turned up like it might be a cup - I wondered if it was a "shot glass" type because around the outside are the words, indented, Just a Thimble Full. There is also this # RD (the D is smaller and set up by the upper part of the R) 707065

Any help or other link for information would be appreciated - thanks

Answer
Hello Glena,  Thank you for your question.  The RD number on your "shot glass" is the Registered Design number.  Your item was made in England by Charles Iles.  You can read more about your item by going to Sue Gowan's website, http://thimbleselect.bizland.com/catalogue.htm and going to Thimblefuls.  I hope this helps.

Wynneth

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Wynneth Mullins

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I am a digitabulist - a thimble collector. I have been collecting thimbles since 1976 and have my own newsletter called Thimble Guild. I started a local thimble collectors group, Thimbles Are Us, in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in 1985. I was Second Vice-President of Thimble Collectors International from 1988 - 1992. I have been a guest speaker on thimbles at local collectors groups, womens groups and churches. I am knowledgable about sterling and gold thimbles made in the US as well as England, Germany, France, Russia, Norway and a few other countries. I am familiar with manufacturer`s marks and codes, assay marks and date marks and other unique marks meaningful to any thimble collector. I am knowledgeable of porcelain, china, brass, pewter, bronze, aluminum, plastic, silver plated, coin and base metal thimble marks. Some questions I might be asked...what makes a thimble valuable (scarce maker, desirable pattern, commemorative, etc.)...where can I find more information on thimbles... are there collectors groups out there...is there a newsletter for collectors...what books are available on the subject? I am very happy to share my knowledge with anyone but will not make appraisals. To do that, you must be able to look at the thimble in person. I have a friend that has a saying, A knowledgable collector is a wise collector. She is a wise collector. In 1992, at the TCI Convention in San Diego, CA, I was given the highest honor in the thimble collecting community. It is called the Myrtle Lundquist Award. It reads, Lundquist Award - Compassion - Caring - Sharing - Awarded to Wynneth Mullins 1992. This award gives me a lot to live up to!

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